The Kirkus Prize is one of the richest literary awards in the world, with a prize of $50,000 bestowed annually to authors of fiction, nonfiction and young readers’ literature. It was created to celebrate the 81 years of discerning, thoughtful criticism Kirkus Reviews has contributed to both the publishing industry and readers at large. Books that earned the Kirkus Star with publication dates between November 1, 2014, and October 31, 2015, are automatically nominated for the 2015 Kirkus Prize, and the winners will be selected on October 23, 2015, by an esteemed panel composed of nationally respected writers and highly regarded booksellers, librarians and Kirkus critics.

KIRKUS REVIEW

A physician argues that undiagnosed hypothyroidism is the cause of many common medical conditions.

Hotze (Hormones, Health, and Happiness: A Natural Medical Formula for RediscoveringYouth with Bioidentical Hormones, 2007), the director of the Hotze Health & Wellness Center, a Texas clinic that specializes in treating thyroid conditions, convincingly argues that the thyroid gland plays a vital role in overall well-being. After studying the issue for more than 20 years, he has condensed his findings into an accessible guide. The thyroid gland, located in the neck, affects everything from metabolism to mental health. The author argues that an overlooked epidemic of hypothyroidism is responsible for some of today’s most commonly treated medical conditions. The reason for this medical mistake is twofold. First, the overly broad test used to diagnose thyroid conditions misses many abnormalities. Second, a heavy reliance on synthetic rather than naturally produced thyroid-replacement drugs actually prevents many patients from correcting their thyroid imbalances. Much of the book criticizes modern medicine, from doctors who are beholden to drug companies to a system that relies too heavily on received wisdom. These criticisms, and the facts that Hotze provides to support them, are shocking. Regardless of how intrigued readers are by the author’s hypotheses, they will question the quality of their health care. The rest of the text includes explanations of hypothyroidism and case studies of patients. At times, the work reads like an extended advertisement for the author’s clinic, but the evidence—written plainly for patients with wide-ranging medical issues—is convincing. The book is frustratingly free of dissenting opinions, but even those readers unconvinced that thyroid therapy is a cure-all may want to get their thyroids tested.

Anyone dealing with a medical mystery will be intrigued by the author’s conclusions on the importance of healthy thyroid function.

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